As we mentioned in today's earlier Flocknote, this month we welcomed two new staff members to St. Isidore: Daiva Navickas (Administative Associate) and Paula Gendreau (Sacrament Coordinator). Below are brief biographies. Please join us in welcoming them to our team!

We also want to thank the many volunteers and staff members who assisted us this summer so that vacations and staff vacancies could be covered in orderly fashion! As they say "many hands make light work"!

As the new administrative associate, I am pleased to have joined such a vibrant Catholic community.

I have worked in the Archdiocese of Boston as a parish secretary and technology integrationist/ teacher at St. John the Evangelist Elementary school in Canton, MA. Currently I am the administrative assistant for the Lithuanian Apostolate, an ethnic based ministry in the Archdiocese. We work through the South Boston Seaport Catholic Collaborative at St. Peter Lithuanian parish. Additionally, I have been the organist and choir directo at St. Peter for the bilingual (Lithuanian/ English) Sunday Mass for more than 20 years.

I was born in Canada, grew up attending a French Canadian school. Our family moved to Chicago in 1960 and I completed my University studies there at University of Illinois, Chicago Circle campus.

After marrying a Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro, we moved to New Bedford in 1982 and have lived there since. Our sons are grown and live in various parts of the US.

I have always been very involved with the Lithuanian American community, both as a musician, and an educator in Lithuanian Cultural Schools, which meet on Saturdays in various cities throughout the US.

I am looking forward to meeting and interacting with this wonderful community and wishing you a warm “labas” (hello in Lithuanian) welcoming you in the parish office.

Daiva Navickas

My name is Paula Gendreau and I am very excited to be one of the newest members of your parish staff.   I was recently invited to help the St. Isidore youth and their families prepare to meet Jesus in a very special way through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.  I was also asked to help prepare our teen Confirmation candidates to recognize and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit though the Sacrament of Confirmation.  I am humbled and honored to be a part of these special moments of grace which you are about to experience.

I love our Catholic Faith because it helps me to know how much God, (Father, Son and Spirit) is actively loving and caring for each one of us.  We share a beautiful faith that makes a big difference on ordinary days, special days, and challenging days.  I believe that I will never learn everything there is to know about God.  I think that is a very good thing, because I love learning throughout my life.  I am looking forward to helping the people of St. Isidore discover more about the ways that God is present in our lives.

A little about me while we get to know each other.  My husband Tom and I live in Dartmouth, MA.  We live in the home that I was raised in!  I have 3 adult children, but no grandchildren …yet.  I enjoy gardening.  I am amazed by the way that a huge plant can emerge from a tiny seed. Seeing something grow reminds me of how awesome God is!  I also enjoy searching for clues about who my ancestors are.  I think learning about my ancestors is a great way to learn history.  Tom and I enjoy hiking in the White Mountains when we get a chance.  God’s creation is so very beautiful viewed from a mountain top!

I have served in Catholic parishes since 1997 working with children, teens, and adults.  Even though my purpose was to teach young and old about our faith, I will be forever grateful for all that I learned in the process.   I look forward to learning from and with all of you.  I hope to meet you in person soon.

Every blessing,

Paula Gendreau

508-947-0444 ext. 18